Thousands of farmers and more than 250 members of Congress have joined forces nationwide in opposing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to expand its regulatory authority through the Clean Water Act.

The harmful algal bloom issue in Lake Erie is complex, and many groups and institutions are working to understand all of the factors involved. Ohio’s agriculture community has been focusing on finding ways to keep nutrients in place on farms by preventing runoff. Below are a few resources to learn more about what is being done and can be done, plus other educational materials.

A bill that requires fertilizer applicator certification for most of Ohio’s farmers is now law. But some news stories about the Toledo water crisis and Senate Bill 150 have made it sound like the bill signed into law in June doesn’t do anything until 2017 and has “no teeth.” Here are some points about the new law that you may need to know as you have conversations about fertilizer regulation in Ohio.

Ohio Farm Bureau and other agricultural groups have been involved in the Toledo water crisis story since the first news alert. Joe Cornely, OFBF’s senior director of corporate communications, was on site in Toledo the day after the drinking water ban and stayed until the day after the ban was lifted. Cornely answered reporter questions, helped farmer spokespersons and conducted media outreach.

Ohio Farm Bureau appreciates Gov. Kasich’s announcement today that the state will be investing $1.25 million in conservation techniques that farmers can use to help them continue their work to protect water quality.